In this blog series, we take you behind the scenes to explore the perspective of our team as we work to turn our clients’ visions into reality. From pre-production planning to the final stages of post-production, we’ll share how we collaborate, overcome challenges, and use our expertise to create the best possible graduation video. Join us as we reflect on the process, the lessons we’ve learned, and how our approach helps bring each project to life in a way that exceeds expectations.
Note: Some content in this article may be enhanced or paraphrased by using AI writer software.
Table of Contents
Laying the Foundation: Crafting the Graduation Video Brief and Pre-Production Planning
Late last year, we collaborated with SUSS to create a graduation video for their convocation. The team at SUSS came to us with an interesting request. They wanted to do something different from the usual graduation videos and make it more emotional and relatable for the graduands.
After checking out the previous years’ videos, we noticed they were usually done in multiple episodes. Featuring different profiles in an interview format with some B-rolls to support it. While this format is straightforward and effective, our team felt we could make the video more engaging and relatable for the audience. So, the director decided to add some narratives and backstories to the featured profiles. We will be using a short film reenactment style to tell their stories. This approach was much more impactful. It allows viewers to connect emotionally and better understand the message the graduation video was trying to convey.
Our Concept: Where Pre-Production Work Begins and Vision Takes Shape
Our concept is to celebrate the unique journeys and achievements of five remarkable graduands from SUSS. Through an engaging storytelling approach, we hope to give viewers a sneak peek into the different backgrounds, challenges, and successes that have shaped their academic path. By weaving together the narratives of these five profiles, we aim to create a compelling and relatable portrayal of the SUSS educational experience.
For the pre-production of this project, the Director created a script to highlight the profiles’ stories, with the goal of weaving them together into a cohesive video that viewers could easily understand and relate to. However, there were some challenges, as the profiles came from very different walks of life and had varying schedules. This made it difficult for us to plan effectively and get to know them better before finalizing the script. However after working together with the profiles and producer, we managed to carve out a suitable schedule to meet them for a talk before starting to filming.
Before the production day, the team conducted a location recce to choose the best spots for each scene. This proved to be quite a challenge, as there were numerous locations to scout. We hit a stumbling block when we realised that some crucial scenes, such as the profiles’ home, weren’t available to shoot. We had to think creatively and eventually set up a makeshift room scene in a corner of SUSS to achieve the desired look.
Lights, Camera, Action: Bringing the Concept to Life in the Graduation Video Production Stage
When it came to production, one of the more interesting challenges we faced was the location setup. We did a location recce before filming to scout the best spots for each scene, but we hit a snag when we realised that one of the most important locations—the profiles’ homes—weren’t available for filming. A quick solution is needed and we retrofitted an office space into a home by building a small makeshift set. With a few props, we were able to transform a corner of the office into a believable home scene for one of the profiles, allowing us to still capture the essence of the story.
Throughout the shoot, we had to remain flexible and adjust on the fly. There were moments when we had to work around unexpected weather changes or location issues, but the crew’s professionalism and quick thinking helped us overcome any obstacles. We also focused on creating a relaxed atmosphere for the graduands, allowing them to feel comfortable while sharing their personal stories. This helped us capture raw, authentic moments that really brought their narratives to life in the graduation video.
One of the highlights of the production was the reenactment scenes. These were key to illustrating the struggles and milestones each graduand had faced. We used cinematic techniques like close-up shots and soft lighting to highlight the emotions and create an intimate atmosphere. We wanted the audience to feel like they were right there with the graduands, walking alongside them in their journey.
Bringing It All Together: The Magic of Post-Production and Final Thoughts
Once we moved into post-production, we faced another challenge. Editing the different profiles into a cohesive video that still showcased each person’s unique story proved to be a challenge. The editing team worked hard to ensure that the transitions between profiles were smooth and the pacing kept audience engaged. The final product was a beautiful mix of storytelling, visuals, and music that left a lasting impression on viewers.
Director: Eugene Ng | Producer: Lim Ledon | Director of Photography: Melvin Mak | 1st Camera Assistant: Brian Teo | 2nd Camera Assistant: Kristine Querubin | Gaffer: Benjamin Low | Grip: Glenda Quek, Kristine Querubin | Editor: Gwendolyn Koh | Colourist: Melvin Mak
Looking back, we’re incredibly proud of the final video. It was a true team effort between our crew, the graduands, and SUSS. We were able to take a traditional graduation video and reimagine it in a way that felt fresh, meaningful, and personal. It was an honour to be part of such a special project. We hope that this approach to storytelling will inspire other future graduation videos to be more engaging, more human, and ultimately, more impactful for the audience
Vivid Snaps Video Production Team
We hope this article has provided quick insights in media production. Our team is ready to work with you. Leverage on our combined expertise for your media production. Our core expertise are in the following fields:
- Corporate video production
- Live streaming for virtual & hybrid events
- Corporate photography
- Event photography & videography
For a profile of our team, visit About us to learn more.
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Some projects are straight-forward while others can be complex, drop us a message with your project requirements. Our project coordinator will get in touch with you to provide a price quotation.
